Children in Hospital & Animal Therapy Association

Former children's nurse Sandra Stone founded the charity in 1992 to pioneer the benefits of animal therapy for sick children.

Today Sandra and her trained team of volunteers take their pets (including dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, a chinchilla and a tortoise)to visit seriously ill children in eight London and several regional hospitals each week.

CHATA provides its services free of charge and its work is widely valued and respected. At Guy's Hospital, CHATA is a fully integrated part of the professional team, receiving referrals from Principal Clinical Psychologist, Melinda Edwards.

Melinda describes the contribution CHATA volunteers make to improving the quality of life and care for the young patients, offering "considerable support, nurturance and comfort. Their visits provide enjoyable experiences and a sense of normality, engaging and linking the children to a world other than sickness and medical treatment. The response from the children who have clearly benefited from their animal encounters says it all - they feel they have made a special friend."

Rabbits are the most popular "special friends". In 1996, QT the rabbit was voted Children's ITV Animal of the Year and Sandra received an award from Esther Rantzen's Childline (presented by HRH The Duchess of Kent) for her dedication to making children's lives happier.

Every year CHATA organises a day trip for young patients from a variety of London Hospitals. Last year, Supreme was delighted to sponsor CHATA's Big Day Out, to visit the Pets Pets Pets Show at Knebworth House. Supreme laid on a marquee at the show, organised goody bags and plenty of opportunities for the young animal lovers to meet the furry, feathered, reptilian and human stars of the show.

As part of its ongoing sponsorship, Supreme provides food, bedding and treats for CHATA's Small Animals, and souvenir badges for the patients they visit. This year Supreme is sponsoring CHATA's printed information leaflets.